Miles Starforth

Steve McClaren says he is yet to decide whether to bring Adam Armstrong back to Newcastle United in the New Year – despite his need for goals.

The forward has been in sensational goalscoring form for loan team Coventry City.

Armstrong took his goal tally for the season to 12 from 14 appearances with two strikes in the League One club's midweek 4-3 win over Barnsley.

The 18-year-old was sent to Coventry on an initial half-season loan, and Tony Mowbray, understandably, wants to keep him at the Ricoh Arena for the rest of the season.

And United head coach McClaren – whose side have struggled to turn their Premier League possession into goals this season – has a decision to make on Armstrong between now and January 16, when his youth loan ends.

“January is still a fair bit away – there's a lot of football to be played inbetween," said McClaren.

"We've not really sat down and talked about January yet. Adam's one of our players out on loan, and he is doing very well which we are pleased about."

If Armstrong does stay at the Ricoh Arena, McClaren believes he will benefit from the tutelage of Mowbray.

"I have spoken to Tony Mowbray," he said. "Adam has an excellent manager there who is teaching him the right ways and the right things. He's in good hands."

United have not given Coventry permission to field Armstrong in tomorrow's FA Cup tie against Northampton Town as the club do not want him cup-tied.

Meanwhile, McClaren, speaking ahead of this afternoon's game against Bournemouth, wouldn't be drawn on speculation linking Newcastle with a January move for Tottenham Hotspur winger Andros Townsend.

Townsend was this week disciplined by his club for a spat with a fitness coach, and the 24-year-old's future looks to lie away from White Hart Lane.

Asked whether he was interested in Townsend, McClaren said: “How far is January away? It seems years away.

"We have got a few more games before January, and we will discuss January when it comes."